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Arsenal

history of the theatresupplementtechnical dataHistoric equipment

Important events

(detail)1856 | construction

(detail)1963 | alteration

History

Original purpose: complex of former military facilities

Address: Arsenal Objekt 19l, 3rd District, Vienna (Bundestheaterewerkstätten)

Date of Construction: 1849–1856

Style: Arsenal: Viennese romantic historicism + elements of Byzantine-Moresque architecture; scenic shop extensions: architecture of the 1960s

Reconstruction: conversion of selected buildings to depots; extension of scenic shop buildings

Date of Reconstruction: scenic shop extensions in 1959–1963

Current use: scenic shops and depots for all theatres of Bundestheater 

Workspaces of Bundestheater scenic shops, built in 1959–1963, are located in Arsenal – former military site in the South-East of Vienna, 3rd District.

 

Note. Arsenal is a complex of buildings constructed in 1849–1856 in Viennese romantic historicism style with elements of Byzantine-Islamic architecture, located at the site of former Viennese fortification. The complex has been preserved in its original condition and supplemented with extensions of designated buildings. Historical buildings were designed by renowned architects who also built other eminent institutions in the centre of Vienna, among them Eduard van der Nüll (1812–1868) – author of the Opera building, or Theophil von Hansen (1813–1891) – author of the Academy of Fine Arts building and that of the Parliament. Arsenal buildings suffered huge damage during the 2nd World War’s bombing raids, but after the war, most of them were restored to their original condition. Minor part of the complex is used by the army, some of the buildings were hosting the Telecommunications Bureau and currently are home e.g. to the Military History Museum. In 1959–1963 the complex was expanded by newly built Bundestheater scenic shops and Burgtheater rehearsal stage. 

 

The scenic shops and depots occupy an area of nearly 15,000 sqm and were built for the alliance of united theatres (Bundestheater) associating four important Viennese institutions: Hoftheater, Burgtheater, Staatsoper and Volksoper. It is the world’s largest theatre group. The association known as Die Art for Art Theatre Service GmbH is a jointly administered entity and provides for fabrication and renting of set pieces and costumes, organization of events, transport, IT services as well as ticket bookings. It rents out the premises and takes care of production of properties and furnishings for various events (film, celebrations) but also for designated interiors. The shops were constructed as a substitute for premises in the Semperdepot building close to the State Opera and were intended to provide the theatre with modern and large spaces for set pieces fabrication. The buildings contain spaces for three large, sufficiently lit paint shops, carpenter shops, thermoforming shops, blacksmith shops, but also some others such as gun manufacturing shops. The halls have been designed as ferroconcrete beam constructions with large spacing between the beams and a glass façade, thus enabling enough light to come in and allowing for large set pieces to be assembled. Here’s where Burgtheater’s rehearsal stage is located making it possible to set up and assemble set pieces for first rehearsals with the director. Here’s where imprecisions as well as special-impact set pieces are tuned up on stage. The workshop spaces are part of a wider complex that serves cultural purposes.

 

 

 

 

Author: Marcela Steinbachová

Translator: Jiří Pilucha

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